Joakim Noah said Bulls need to focus

DEERFIELD, Ill. -- When Charles Barkley recently predicted that the Chicago Bulls were his pick to win the Eastern Conference, it didn't necessarily change the mood in the Berto Center.

“I think the Chicago Bulls are going to win the East. I love what they're doing in Chicago.”
-- Charles Barkley on TNT

In fact, Bulls center Joakim Noah said such optimism could be harmful to the Bulls if they buy into the hype.

"Poison," Noah told ESPNChicago.com Tuesday, with a smile. "We're not in the Finals yet. I love Chuck. I think he's great for the game. I love his honesty. He always tells you how he feels. But it's poison."

Barkley admitted he was going out on a limb on TNT on Thanksgiving night.

"The best [Eastern Conference] team that I've seen this year, I think the Chicago Bulls are going to win the East," Barkley said. "I love what they're doing in Chicago.

"I think the Magic have the deepest team in the East, the Celtics have the oldest team and the Heat are going to struggle, but they'll get it together. I think the Orlando Magic are going to have the best record, but the most dangerous team in the Eastern Conference is the Chicago Bulls. Especially once they get [Carlos] Boozer back."

Boozer, who suffered a hand injury in the preseason, may make his Bulls debut on Wednesday when the Bulls host the Magic.

Orlando and Boston were leading the East heading into action Tuesday with a .750 winning percentage, followed by Atlanta (.611) and the Bulls (.600). Chicago has gone 1-1 since Barkley made his statement.

"To get to the Finals, we have a lot to do," Noah said. "And we have a lot of work to do. We've had a little success, and expectations are a little higher than they were in the past. But expectations don't mean anything. And I've been in situations like that [at the University of Florida], so I understand them a little bit.

"Of course, that's the goal, to be able to play in those situations. And hopefully one day, hopefully we will. That's the goal. I want to be in the Finals. But just because Chuck says it doesn't mean that we're there, ya know? We got a long way to go. We got a big game against Orlando."

Noah said if the Bulls are going to be able to live up to Barkley's expectations, they have to focus on the task at hand.

"You enjoy the moment. You live in the moment. You don't worry about the Finals," Noah said. "We have Orlando. You focus on the practice. You focus on living in the moment and not what's going to happen in the future and what happened in the past. Just enjoy the process.

"I think that's where we're at right now, and that's what I'm saying when I say poison. [I'm] not saying it in a disrespectful way. I love Chuck, but at the end of the day, it's one thing to talk about it, and it's one thing to actually live it."

Why the Brewer hate? He has gotten better as the season has gone along. As long as he stays healthy the rest of the year (possibly asking too much) I don't think I will regret having him on the team.

in no order (except the Bulls)

Orlando
Miami
Boston
Atlanta
Indiana/New York

Bulls.

They might be better with Boozer than Indiana and New York, but Boozer won't stay healthy.

in no order (except the Bulls)

Orlando
Miami
Boston
Atlanta
Indiana/New York

Bulls.

They might be better with Boozer than Indiana and New York, but Boozer won't stay healthy.

in no order (except the Bulls)

Orlando
Miami
Boston
Atlanta
Indiana/New York

Bulls.

They might be better with Boozer than Indiana and New York, but Boozer won't stay healthy.

D Rose is a bad motherfucker

So is Shannon Brown.

in no order (except the Bulls)

Orlando
Miami
Boston
Atlanta
Indiana/New York

Bulls.

They might be better with Boozer than Indiana and New York, but Boozer won't stay healthy.

in no order (except the Bulls)

Orlando
Miami
Boston
Atlanta
Indiana/New York

Bulls.

They might be better with Boozer than Indiana and New York, but Boozer won't stay healthy.

The top 3 sure, but how in the hell could u say the last three listed are better?

"i think the fighting illini will win the nba championship. the bulls will end up 9th, just barely missing the playoffs. "

-shitty of tools

pretty much what you sounded like on the radio man. i heard your call. rose is injury prone? wtf? the guy could get an arm lopped off in the 1st quarter and likely still throw down a double double by the end of the game.

boozer sucks because hes going to be injured? wouldnt the odds say that he had his yearly injury already, so he likely will play most of the games from here out?

noah has "bad" feet? well those "bad" feet are kicking the shit out of anyone they stand up against. and LOTS of players get over the planterfashieyetus thing (at least manage it)

the bulls cant get over the celtics? they almost got over them with kirk hinrich and ben gordon... gimme a break man. the magic? THE MAGIC? fuck those tards. youll see the better team in just an hour actually... this isnt the bears, were not playing injured teams- the bulls are fighting the gladiator teams for 48 minutes and WINNING. best circus trip weve had since jordan, and you think thats a fluke?

all you gotta do is watch the games. just watch. its simple. watch and understand what you are seeing. what you see is a team that has the best PG in the nba short of a more consistent jumpshot, a team with an OUTSTANDING coach, a team with joakim noah. A TEAM WITHOUT THEIR 2nd BEST PLAYER. god dammit im fuckin pissed now. city of stools, youd be basketball retarded if you werent just retarded. btw i just called yer husband and hes going to let you watch the game tonight. you might have to do something 'extra' for him but like i said, the watching the game part is simple.

My friends the Bulls like the Bears are an injury away from being finished. Rose or Cutler go down they are fucked

Ike is on fire

Come here Walt. Squeal for me.

youre so right. the bulls are on VERY thin ice. i mean if the lakers lost kobe they would still be the easy favorites. if miami lost lebron they would still be picked to win it all. when boston lost garnett they were fine. yeah.... (office space lumberg)

its kinda like saying "hey i have this cherry ferrari... but i dont like it because if i ever get it in a wreck it will be a crappy ferrari so im just going to not drive it ever. ever."

Utah is 14-5 without the great Carlos Boozer how can that be....and the lost kover and brewer.my my
intelligent talk from a mother fucker that don't have a kitchen